Lentinula edodes based GIS mapping, biometabolites and antiinflamatory activity of wild edible mushrooms from tropical 'sacred grove' forests of Meghalaya, India / Mapas basados en GIS deLentinula edodes, biometabolitos y actividad antiinflamatoria de los hongos silvestres comestibles de los bosques tropicales "bosque sagrado" de Meghalaya, India

AbstractThe biodiversity rich state of Meghalaya, India located in the realms of mega-biodiversity hotspots, is home to numerous species of wild edible macrofungi that are used extensively by the mycophillic ethnic population, as a part of their traditional cuisine and medicine systems. However, habitat loss, due to deforestation and climate change, is destroying the natural population of these mushrooms, depleting their availability to the local communities. In the present investigation, a GIS guided habitat search, using Lentinula edodes as a representative species, was used in mapping the habitats of wild edible macrofungi of the study region. Sampling of around 4 000 specimens per distinct morphological type available in the traditional markets and "sacred grove" forests indicated presence of ten common genera, belonging to nine different families of wild edible mushrooms. Nutritional profiling of the representative species Lentinula edodes was carried out by evaluation of its moisture, total fat, crude protein and carbohydrates contents by standard methods. Similarly, bioactive components determination was performed by estimation of total phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and lycopenes. Bioactivity of the mushrooms extracts was studied using the DPPH radical scavenging and Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assays. The present investigation successfully attempted to explore remote sensing technologies and GIS (Geographic Information System) based system to predict the natural habitats of wild edible mushrooms of Meghalaya, India which we believe will lead to the generation of a mushroom specific non-wood forest resource mapping system in the near future. Results of nutritional profiling and biological activity studies on the representative species of wild edible mushrooms from the studied region revealed that it is a rich source of essential nutrients and antioxidants.

ResumenLa rica biodiversidad del estado de Meghalaya, India situado en los reinos de los hotspots mega-biodiversidad es el hogar de numerosas especies de macro hongos silvestres comestibles que se utilizan ampliamente por la población étnica micofílica como parte de su alimentación y medicina tradicional. Sin embargo, la pérdida de hábitat debido a la deforestación y el cambio climático está destruyendo la población natural de estos hongos, que agotan su disponibilidad para las poblaciones locales. En la presente investigación, se utilizó el SIG para la búsqueda guiada de hábitat usando Lentinula edodes como especie representativa en la cartografía de los hábitats de macrohongos silvestres comestibles de la región de estudio. Alrededor de cuatro mil ejemplares de distinto tipo morfológico fueron muestreados según su disponibilidad en los mercados tradicionales y los "sacred grove" (bosques sagrados) lo que indicó la presencia de diez géneros comunes pertenecientes a nueve familias de setas silvestres comestibles. Perfiles nutricionales de las especies representativas Lentinula edodes se llevaron a cabo mediante la evaluación de su humedad, grasa total, proteína cruda y contenido de carbohidratos. Del mismo modo, la determinación de componentes bioactivos se realizó por estimación de fenoles totales, flavonoides, ácido ascórbico, β-caroteno y licopeno. La bioactividad de los extractos de setas se estudió mediante la captación de radicales DPPH y el ensayo de estabilización de la membrana de glóbulos rojos de la sangre humana (hRBC). Los resultados de estudios de perfiles nutricionales y actividad biológica en hongos comestibles revelan que es una fuente rica en nutrientes esenciales y antioxidantes. La presente investigación ha intentado con éxito explorar las tecnologías de teledetección y SIG (Sistema de Información Geográfica) para predecir el hábitat natural de los hongos silvestres comestibles de Meghalaya, India que creemos dará lugar a la generación de un mapeo de los recursos forestales no madereros, específicamente de hongos, en el futuro cercano.

Contenido nutricional, propiedades funcionales y conservación de flores comestibles: Revisión / Nutritional content, functional properties and conservation of edible flowers: Review

La florifagia, que es el consumo de flores como alimento es una práctica que, aunque no es nueva no estaba muy difundida entre los consumidores hasta hace algunas décadas. Las flores comestibles contribuyen al mejoramiento de la estética de los alimentos además, aportan sustancias biológicamente activas como vitaminas A, C, riboflavina, niacina, minerales como calcio, fósforo, hierro y potasio beneficiando la salud de quien las consume. Esta revisión incluye algunos ejemplos de flores comestibles como las rosas, violetas y capuchinas entre otras, sus usos y aplicaciones como alimento, sus características organolépticas y valor nutrimental por las cuales pueden considerarse un alimento funcional. No todas las flores pueden consumirse como alimento hay otro grupo de flores que pueden resultar tóxicas e incluso su ingesta puede ser mortal. Un factor importante que afecta la calidad de las flores es la forma en la que se conservan la cual repercute en sus características sensoriales y nutrimentales. Finalmente aunque el consumo de flores como alimento es una práctica antigua hay poca reglamentación es necesario realizar mayor investigación sobre su análisis químico y nutrimental que promueva su inclusión en la dieta ya que pueden ser una fuente alimenticia con un alto valor nutrimental y funcional.

The floriphagia that is the consumption of flowers as a food, is an old practice not widespread among consumers until some decades ago. Edible flowers contribute to increasing the appearance of food. They can provide biologically active substances including vitamin A, C, riboflavins, niacin, minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, iron and potassium that are eventually beneficial to consumers’ health. This review includes some examples of edible flowers including roses, violets and nasturtium among others, uses and applications, sensorial characteristics and nutritional values that lead them to be considered as functional food. An important factor that affects the quality of edible flowers is the form in which they are preserved since it may affect their sensorial and nutritional characteristics. However, not all flowers can be eaten as food since there are some of them that can be toxic or even mortal. Finally, although the consumption of flowers is an ancient practice, there is little regulation in this regard. Of the review on edible flowers, it is concluded that there are still numerous aspects about them to evaluate such as nutritional and functional characteristics, conservation and regulation with the aim to extend its consumption.

Caracterización fisicoquímica de peciólos del pangue (Gunnera tinctoria) / Physicochemical characterization of petioles of pangue (Gunnera tinctoria)

The petioles of pangue (Gunnera tinctoria) are foods with a very pleasant acid flavor and constitute an important non-wood forests product (NWFP) of Chile which may be an alternative for the formulation of new food products. The objectives of this work were to determine its proximal chemical composition, to establish its energy contribution and to define some of their physiochemical and biochemical properties. The content of proteins, lipids, moisture, fiber, ashes, carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, soluble solids, and water activity were determined. The activities of the enzymes peroxidase and poliphenoloxidase were also measured. The results show that the commodity possesses a high content of moisture and water activity, and a reduced contribution of energy and ascorbic acid. The petioles present an intense green color in the nearby portion of rhizome. They have a reduced pH that permits to classify them as an acid food. The results give an orientation on the possible strategies of processing of this vegetable to obtain food products with a shelf life that permit their commercialization.

Los pecíolos del pangue (Gunnera tinctoria) son comestibles con un sabor ácido muy agradable y constituyen un importante producto forestal no maderable (PFNM) de Chile. Sin embargo, no existen antecedentes sobre las características de este vegetal que permitan un uso industrial alternativo que puede ser la formulación de nuevos productos alimentarios. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron determinar la composición químico proximal, el aporte energético y algunas propiedades fisicoquímicas y bioquímicas de los pecíolos del pangue. Se determinó el contenido de proteínas, lípidos, humedad, fibra, cenizas, carbohidratos por diferencia, pH, ácido ascórbico, actividad de agua, sólidos solubles, color y enzimas peroxidasa y polifenoloxidasa. Los resultados muestran que la materia prima posee un elevado contenido de humedad y actividad de agua, un reducido aporte energético y trazas de ácido ascórbico. El color de los pecíolos presenta una coloración verde más intensa en la porción cercana al rizoma. Asimismo, posee un pH reducido que permite clasificarlo como un alimento ácido y presenta actividad de la enzima peroxidasa. Los resultados entregan una orientación sobre las posibles estrategias de procesamiento de este vegetal para obtener productos alimentarios con una vida útil que permita su comercialización.

Goitrogenic content of Indian cyanogenic plant foods & their in vitro anti-thyroidal activity.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Consumption of cyanogenic foods has been considered as one of the etiological factors in certain instances for the persistence of endemic goitre. The present study was undertaken to study the cyanogenic glucosides, glucosinolates and thiocyanate content in edible portion of certain selected plant foods of Indian origin. Further in vitro anti-thyroidal activity using raw, boiled and cooked extracts of these plants with and without excess iodide was also studied. METHODS: Cyanogenic plant foods generally vegetables were collected from different areas of West Bengal and Tripura. Cassava was obtained from Meghalaya and Kerala and their cyanogenic glucosides, glucosinolates and thiocyanate were estimated. Thyroid peroxidase activity (TPO) of human thyroid was assayed from microsomal fraction following I3- from iodide. The anti-TPO activities of the plants were assayed after adding raw, boiled and cooked extracts in the assay medium with and without extra iodide. Relative antithyroidal potency of the plant extracts was also evaluated in terms of the concentration (IC50) necessary to produce 50 per cent inhibition of TPO activity. PTU equivalence of the plant foods was also determined. RESULTS: Cabbage and cauliflower were rich in glucosinolates, bamboo shoot and cassava were rich in cyanogenic glucosides, mustard, turnip and radish were relatively rich in thiocyanate however all the constituents were present in each plant. Boiled extracts showed maximum inhibition of TPO activity followed by cooked and raw extracts. Excess iodide was found relatively effective for raw extract but less effective for boiled and cooked extracts in reversing anti-TPO activity. Inhibition constant (IC50) was found highest with bamboo shoot and least with cabbage. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Raw, boiled and cooked extracts of the plants showed anti-thyroidal activity in vitro. Excess iodide reversed the anti-TPO activity to same extent but could not neutralise it.

Composição química e estudo anatômico dos frutos de buriti do Município de Buritizal, Estado de São Paulo / Chemical composition and anatomic study of buriti fruits from Buritizal City, São Paulo State, Brazil

A palmeira buriti é uma das mais importantes espécies nativas com potencial econômico na América Latina, porém pouco pesquisada no Brasil. Assim sendo, foi realizado um estudo histológico de frutos de buriti nativo do município de Buritizal, estado de São Paulo, e a determinação da composição química de sua polpa. O estudo morfo-anatômico foi suficiente para identificar a variedade estudada como Mauritia vinifera Mart., distinguindo-a de outras espécies do mesmo gênero devido ao formato estrobiliforme de seus frutos, muito peculiar. Do ponto-de-vista nutricional, destacaram-se os carboidratos (10,6 a 13,2 g/100g). A fração oleosa, apesar do baixo teor lipídico (2,7 a 4,7 g/100g), revelou um significativo conteúdo de ácido oléico (72,6 a 74,6 por cento do total de ácidos graxos), semelhante ao azeite de oliva. Os valores obtidos para a vitamina C e cálcio foram compatíveis com os dados da literatura, enquanto que os de pH os superaram. Sugere-se, então, uma exploração racional dessa palmeira na região de origem, devido ao potencial de seus frutos, em especial da polpa

Evaluación de un cultivar de amaranto, amaranthus hypochondriacus L. cv. Don Pedro: como hortaliza de hoja / Evaluation of an amaranth, amaranthus hypochondriacus L. cv. Don Pedro: as leaf vegetable

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar la calidad nutricional de Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. cv. Don Pedro para utilizarlo como hortaliza de hoja. Se realizaron análisis químicos de humedad, cenizas, proteína, extracto etéreo, carbohidratos, minerales, fibra y antinutrientes, a partir de un material cultivado en la ciudad de Santa Rosa. La Pampa. De los resultados obtenidos que se compararon con Amaranthus hypochondriacus cv. Artasa 9122, usado este como testigo, es posible considerar a Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. cv. Don Pedro una especie apta para el consumo humano

Plant polyphenol antioxidants and oxidative stress

In recent years there has been a remarkable increment in scientific articles dealing with oxidative stress. Several reasons justify this trend: knowledge about reactive oxygen and nitrogen species metabolism; definition of markers for oxidative damage; evidence linking chronic diseases and oxidative stress; identification of flavonoids and other dietary polyphenol antioxidants present in plant foods as bioactive molecules; and data supporting the idea that health benefits associated with fruits, vegetables and red wine in the diet are probably linked to the polyphenol antioxidants they contain. In this review we examine some of the evidence linking chronic diseases and oxidative stress, the distribution and basic structure of plant polyphenol antioxidants, some biological effects of polyphenols, and data related to their bioavailability and the metabolic changes they undergo in the intestinal lumen and after absorption into the organism. Finally, we consider some of the challenges that research in this area currently faces, with particular emphasis on the contributions made at the International Symposium [quot ]Biology and Pathology of Free Radicals: Plant and Wine Polyphenol Antioxidants[quot ] held July 29-30, 1999, at the Catholic University, Santiago, Chile and collected in this special issue of Biological Research.

Calidad proteínica de tres cepas mexicanas de setas (Pleurotus ostreatus) / Protein quality of Mexican Pleurotus ostreatus strains

Se evaluó la calidad proteínica de los cuerpos fructíferos de tres cepas mexicanas de Pleurotus ostreatus (INIREB-8, CDBB-H-896 y CDBB-H-897), cultivadas en invernadero, temperatura registrada de: 22-28 grados Celsius y 75-85 por ciento de humedad relativa, en paja de trigo como substrato. La concentración de proteína (Nx4.38), osciló entre 17.26 y 19.97 g/100g en peso seco. Sus puntajes químicos estuvieron entre 74 a 93 por ciento la lisina disponible el primer aminoácido limitante para las cepas INIREB-8 y CDBB-H-896 y la leucina para la CDBB-H-897. Los valores de digestibilidad in vitro fueron de: 67.75-68.38 por ciento. El valor protínico relativo varió de 100.06 a 107.85 por ciento, siendo menor que el del frijol soya cocido y huevo entero; e iguales estadísticamente a los de la leche descremada en polvo, caseína más metionina y albúmina; y superiores a los del arroz, maíz, frijol, lenteja, haba y pasta para sopa. En función de lo anterior se puede concluir que por su contenido de aminoácidos esenciales, las proteínas de las setas (especialmente la cepa INIREB-8) se complementan adecuadamente con la de los cereales, por lo cual es altamente recomendable incluirlas en la dieta diaria.

Purification and partial characterization of acyl carrier proteins from developing oil seeds of pisa (Actinodaphne hookeri) and ground nut (Arachis hypogaea).

Acyl carrier proteins (ACP) were purified to homogeneity in the active form from developing seeds of pisa (Actinodaphne hookeri) which synthesizes exclusively trilaurin and from ground nut (Arachis hypogaea) which synthesizes triacylglycerols containing long chain fatty acids. Two major isoforms of ACPs were purified from developing pisa seeds using DEAE-cellulose, Superose-6 FPLC and C4 reversed phase HPLC chromatographic methods. In contrast, only a single form of ACP was present in ground nut seeds which was purified by anion-exchange and activated thiol-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The two isoforms of ACPs from pisa showed nearly the same specific activity of 6,706 and 7,175 pmol per min per mg protein while ground nut ACP showed a specific activity of 3,893 pmol per min per mg protein when assayed using E. coli acyl-ACP synthetase and [1-14C]palmitic acid. When compared with E. coli ACP, the purified ACPs from both the seeds showed considerable difference in their mobility in native PAGE, but showed similar mobility in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. In the absence of reducing agents formation of dimers was quite prominent. The ACPs from both the seed sources were acid- and heat-stable. The major isoform of pisa seed ACP and the ground nut ACP contain 91 amino acids with M(r) 11,616 and 1,228 respectively. However, there is significant variation in their amino acid composition. A comparison of the amino acid sequence in the N-terminal region of pisa and ground nut seed ACPs showed considerable homology between themselves and with other plant ACPs but not with E. coli ACP.

Ocorrência da bromelina em espécies e cultivares de abacaxizeiro / Occurrence of bromelain in species and cultivars of pineaple plants

Neste trabalho procurou-se caracterizar cultivares de abacaxizeiro pertencentes à coleçäo do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) - Säo Paulo, quanto ao teor de bromelina, devido à sua importância para a indústria de alimentos e ao pouco conhecimento acerca de sua atividade nas espécies cultivares de abacaxizeiro. Foram selecionados 16 amostras de diferentes cultivares e dentre essas, a espécie Ananás vermelho-do-mato (Ananas bracteatus, var. typicus). Foi a que se mostrou mais promissora como fonte de bromelina, e o cultivar Roxo-de-tefé (Ananas comosus) praticamente näo apresentou atividade proteolítica, fato este até entäo näo documentado na literatura. Os valores obtidos para a atividade proteolítica variaram de 216,1 a 6617,6 unidades/100g talo

Valor biológico de la proteína foliar de Atriplex suberecta / Biological value of foliar protein of Atriplex suberecta

Dentro de nuestra línea de trabajo "Atriplex - Calidad Biológica de la Proteína Foliar", hemos incluido el estudio del concentrado proteínico obtenido de las hojas de Atriplex subercta. Este comprendió: identificación química, calidad biológica de la proteína, perfil aminoacídico, y cálculo de cómputo químico (CQ). Para avaluar la retención nitrogenada se determinaron: utilización proteínica neta (NPU), digestibilidad verdadera (DV), y cálculo de valor biológico (VB). El incremento de peso se siguió mediante la relación proteínica neta (NPR) y relación proteínica neta relativa (RNPR). Los resultados revelaron: CQ = 96 calculado para aminoácidos azufrados; NPU = 60 ñ 4.00; DV = 76 ñ 5.20; VB = 87; NPR= 3.34 + 2.50 y RNPR = 88%. Estos permiten inferir que la proteína es de buena calidad, lo que indicaría que el producto sometido a estudio podría ser utilizado como complemento de cereales, dado su alto contenido de lisina (CQ, que es superior a 100)

Estudios agronómicos y bromatológicos en jícama (Polymnia sonchifolia Poep et Endl.) / Agronomical and bromatological studies in jicama (Polymnia sonchifolia Poep et Endl.)

Se efectuó el análisis del rendimiento y la determinación de las características bromatológicas de la parte comestible (raíces) de 10 líneas de jícama (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp et Andl) en las condiciones ambientales de la Estación Experimental Santa Catalina, Ecuador (12-C de temperatura y 3,100 msnm). Se encontraron valores promedio de: 3.7% de proteína, 3.5% de cenizas, 1.5% de grasa, 3.4% de fibra, 87.8% de extractos libres de nitrogéno, 2.2% de potasio, 0.12% de fósforo, 96µg/100 de hierro, y 390 µg/100 g de zinc. El ciclo vegetativo para todas las líneas evaluadas fue de 12 meses y no presentaron daños por granizadas y heladas. El promedio de materia seca en la raíces comestibles fue de 15.2% y el rango, de 13.6 a 16.7% para las 20 líneas sometidas a estudio. Se encontraron valores promedio de 2.47, 2.12, 1.63 y 2.51 g/100 g de fructosa, alfa glucosa, beta glucosa y sacarosa, respectivamente, para muestras de raíces comestibles con corteza de las 10 líneas en estudio, las que fueron todas analizadas en base seca